Military denies rampant drug use among members

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Military Command is awaiting the results of urine tests of its members who are suspected of using drugs, city military command spokesman Lt. Col. Djazairi Nachrowi said on Thursday.

He sought to play down media reports quoting Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman as saying at least 10 of the command's personnel were in a drug treatment program.

"It was only an initial indication. We cannot make any conclusions yet," he told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

"The media reports didn't quote my statement completely. The articles were misleading," Nachrowi quoted Djadja as saying.

A media report on Thursday quoted Djadja as saying that 10 members of the city military command, including a junior officer, were undergoing intensive therapy for drug abuse.

Djadja spoke to reporters on Wednesday after addressing a farewell ceremony at the 9th Cavalry Battalion in Serpong, Tangerang.

He said the military personnel were being treated at the city military command's health center.

Nachrowi said urine samples were taken of military personnel showing signs of drug use following morning exercises recently.

"Our doctor touched the palms of the soldiers after the morning examination and found that five to 10 soldiers were 'colder' than their colleagues."

He was unable to explain what the difference in temperature meant.

"I don't know what it means. Perhaps it's a medical term used by the doctor," he said.

"The doctor only said that the suspected soldiers' palms were cold."

Nachrowi said a person's palms "reflected" different temperatures in the morning, in an air-conditioned room or after using drugs.

"That's why we conducted the urine tests on the suspected military members in an effort to prove the initial indication," he said.

Nachrowi said the city military commander assured that strict sanctions would be imposed on the military members should the results were positive.

"There's nothing to hide. We'll be transparent."

He said the suspected drug users were from the city's 1st Infantry Brigade. The city military command's total personnel numbers 15,000.(05)